We report cases of high lead exposure in a Korean steel manufacturing company and a likely cause for these cases.

Neurological examinations, neurobehavioral tests, blood tests, and urine tests were performed to detect an association between high lead exposure and physical symptoms for workers in a steel manufacturing company. In order to determine the cause of high lead exposure, the work process and environment was assessed. The highest lead exposure was during the work process. We found that the interior of an oil storage tank was coated with lead-containing paint, leading to severe exposure during the cutting process. In two observations, 4 of 12 workers diagnosed with occupational disease were found to have high exposure to lead from the storage tank and three had increased beta-2 microglobulin levels in the blood (indicative of urinary tract damage).

Lead management, including routine measurements of the working environment and examinations of lead concentrations in workers, are needed in the korean scrap metal industry. In addition, rules requiring workers to wear personal protective equipment and receive education about lead exposure should be strictly enforced.